Autoblog

Forget Zipcar - Smart reportedly readying car2go car-sharing program in Texas

Sebastian Blanco — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 07:58:00 EST

Steers and Smarts - Click above for a high-res image gallery

Daimler announced in March it would bring the tiny Smart car to the big state of Texas through its car-sharing service car2go. At the time, the German automaker declared that entering the Austin market with 200 ForTwos was "the next logical step." Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche now thinks that the car share program is also a good way to boost sales numbers, which have dropped recently.

Smart's U.S. sales were down 70.4 percent last month compared to October 2008, and only 661 ForTwos were sold in the U.S. last month. In Austin, as in the first car2go location of Ulm, Germany, the shared cars will initially only be available to city employees. Expansion to other residents - and then to other cities - is expected once the demand is there. Make that if demand is there.

Gallery: smart fortwo in Texas and Germany

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Forget Zipcar - Smart reportedly readying car2go car-sharing program in Texas originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Smart, or Stupid? Teenager cooks up Michael Jackson microcar tribute

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Celebrities

Eric Callisto read the reactions from Michael Jackson fans and decided that the city-sponsored Los Angeles memorial service wasn't enough. So, like any web entrepreneur the Logansport, Indiana native created a site to serve that outpouring.

At Ultimate MJ Tribute, fans of the King of Pop can remember him by having their names written on a Smart Fortwo. They will also get their names on the website itself, and supposedly get a personalized flower delivered to Jackson's memorial - in that very same Smart - every year. And all for the low, low price of $10.

Of course, there are a lot of details left out: there is no information on the site about how this is all supposed to work, and site only has two real links on it, one of them to Paypal, one of them to a contact form. The other links are for Digg, Tweet, and sharing. It isn't even clear if Mr. Callisto owns or has a Smart. And based on the worldwide reaction to MJ's death, to pick one of the smallest cars in the world as a billboard tribute strikes us as a bit odd. But after all, an idea might be priceless, but a domain name is only a few dollars...

[Source: Ultimate MJ Tribute via Inside Line]

Smart, or Stupid? Teenager cooks up Michael Jackson microcar tribute originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #135

Dan Roth — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:41:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Podcasts, Government/Legal, Opinion/Editorial

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

Episode #135 of the Autoblog Podcast is here. Chris, Sam and Dan took time out to chat about GM's fast-moving reorganization, Smart's dubious $99/month deal, raising gas taxes as a better way to increase fuel economy, and Shunk's new car dilemma. To wrap up, we hit a question, and that's it - a nice, tidy 65-minute affair. Tell us how we're doing by filling out our survey, if you haven't already, and we'll see you next week. In the meantime, you can drop us a note at Podcast at Autoblog dot com. Thanks for listening!

Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #135

Autoblog Podcast #135 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fortwo 4 Less: Smart offers first incentives in U.S.

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:58:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Hybrid, Green, Smart, Earnings/Financials

2008 Smart Fortwo - Click above for a high-res image gallery

Penske Automotive Group, distributors of the Smart Fortwo here in the United States, recorded an impressive 24,622 total sales of the diminutive city car in 2008 and dealers widely reported that they could have sold even more had they been available. With that in mind, the nascent company set what seemed at the time like a realistic sales target for 25,000 units in 2009. That may have been a bit optimistic.

So far this year, Smart USA has sold just 7,451 Fortwos, which is down nearly 16% over the first five months of 2008. May sales, though, were down an alarming 56.6% to 1,169 units. To stem the rushing tide of order cancellations and slow sales, Penske has decided to offer its first-ever incentives on the Fortwo. From now until the end of July, buyers may qualify for 4.2% financing through Daimler Financial Services for the purchase of a new 2009 Smart Fortwo.

If this incentive has a positive impact on sales, expect it to be extended a bit longer. Further, Penske is considering making it possible for dealerships to order new cars without accepting the refundable $99 reservation from a customer that's currently required, which could have the desirable effect of placing more new vehicles on dealer lots for buyers to choose from.

Gallery: smart fortwo

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Fortwo 4 Less: Smart offers first incentives in U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Confirmed: GM and Penske outline deal for Saturn - Aura, Vue, Outlook to live on

Chris Paukert — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 13:29:00 EST

Filed under: GM, Saturn, Earnings/Financials

Confirming a report we posted on earlier today, General Motors has reached a preliminary agreement to handover the Saturn marque to the Penske Automotive Group. In GM's official statement after the jump, the automaker says that the memorandum of understanding would entitle Penske to the brand's 350+ dealerships, the rights to the name and its associated iconography, as well as continued production of the Aura, Vue, and Outlook on a contract basis. As expected, the dormant Astra hatchback and the rakish Sky roadster will apparently not make the transition. No financial terms of the deal have been released.

As reported earlier today by The New York Times, that abbreviated Saturn lineup will likely be joined by vehicles procured from other overseas automakers, potentially Renault's Samsung Motors division in Korea. It is not immediately clear if Penske will use the opportunity to pair existing Saturn stores with the company's other automotive distribution channel, Smart.

According to GM, the agreement is expected to be consummated in the third quarter of this year, pending the necessary paperwork shuffling between the two companies and the federal government. Check out the official press release after the jump

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading Confirmed: GM and Penske outline deal for Saturn - Aura, Vue, Outlook to live on

Confirmed: GM and Penske outline deal for Saturn - Aura, Vue, Outlook to live on originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Jun 2009 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SmartForFiveOh: Small Florida town employs Smart police cruiser

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:27:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Government/Legal, Smart, Police/Emergency

Belle Isle Police Chief John Tegg with his new Smart ForTwo Police Cruiser

When your Police Chief is six-feet tall and weighs 280 pounds, you might consider it cruel and unusual punishment to issue him a Smart fortwo as his police cruiser. But that is exactly what the folks in Belle Isle, Florida have done. Heck, if it's good enough for Batman, it's good enough for Belle Isle, right? According to the Orlando Sentinel, Chief John Tegg insists that he's perfectly comfortable once he gets situated inside - at least physically. "One fella told me he's not sure he'd pull over for this little thing," Tegg said. "I said you'd better if you know what's good for you."

The fledgling police department in this small Orange County town claims that this is the first Smart pressed into constabulary duty in America. While we can't verify that claim, the Belle Isle force plans on using the vehicle for patrols. However, with no backseat, Tegg admits there is room for little more than a ticket book, so the good chief will have to call for backup if someone needs to be hauled off to jail. Showing that they at least have a healthy sense of humor about the situation, the squad has issued the car a unit number of "point-five" - as in half a car. We're calling it Smart ForFiveOh, or Smart ForPoPo. Anything else come to mind? We're sure you can come up with something better. Thanks for the tip and pics, David!

Gallery: Smart Police Cruiser

[Source: Orlando Sentinel / Photos: phabulousphotos]

SmartForFiveOh: Small Florida town employs Smart police cruiser originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bigger smarts - forfour, forthree, etc. - could be coming

Sebastian Blanco — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 18:29:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Green, Smart, Rumormill

13 people in a smart fortwo - Click above for small image gallery

Almost a year ago, 13 people squeezed into a smart fortwo. Yes, they were gymnasts. It might someday be easier to fit more than two people in a fortwo if plans to make a longer version of the most diminutive production car sold in the U.S. come to fruition. Smart head Anders-Sundt Jensen has confirmed rumors with Automotive News that an extended wheelbase could allow for 2+1 or 2+2 seating. Looks like pressure from the Toyota iQ and the VW up! is having an effect.

What might these new smart models be called? Go ahead, take a guess. Names like forone, forthree and forfour "are being discussed," AN writes, but as regulars may recall, AutoExpress thinks a four-door model could be called fortwo +2. A new model would likely look more like the current smart than the Colt-like smart ForFour that was sold from 2004-2006. The next-gen smart model is supposed to be revealed by next year's Geneva Motor Show, so we'll hopefully know more by then.

[Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd]

Bigger smarts - forfour, forthree, etc. - could be coming originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Mar 2009 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Truth About Smart: fortwo rumors dispelled

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 02 May 2008 17:57:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, Green, Safety, Smart, UK

Though Men's Vogue has already attempted to disprove the theory that only women can get away with driving one, it seems that smart has seen the need to dispel some rumors about the fortwo, their little urban runabout. Specifically, many people apparently question how large of a person the smart can easily handle, how safe a car this small could be, how much room there is for stuff and what features the fortwo is equipped with. In all honesty, the smart would probably work for a large percentage of the population of both the U.S. and the U.K., but certainly not for every situation likely to come up in everyday life. As a second car or strictly for commuting, we imagine that the smart would meet the needs of quite a few drivers who would never even consider a vehicle this small.

Just for fun, why not check out the truth about smart here. Even if you hate the car, you may enjoy seeing it mildly-mangled by a wrecking ball.

[Source: the truth about smart]

The Truth About Smart: fortwo rumors dispelled originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 May 2008 17:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes confirms B-Class coming to America

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 15:03:00 EST

Filed under: Hatchback, Mercedes-Benz

For a few years now, we've debated whether or not Mercedes-Benz would be bringing its entry-level A-Class or the slightly bigger B-Class to the States. Fine cars both, but how well they'd fit into M-B's luxury image was a big question mark. Well, according to Bloomberg, DaimlerChrysler AG has made a decision. Mercedes is indeed planning on bringing the new B Stateside. Benz officials said the company is designing a North American version of the car for the first time. So that's the good news. The bad news is that it will likely be 2011 or 2012 before that model is set for replacement, which is most likely when our version will appear.

Bigger than an Aveo but smaller than a Corolla, this B-Class mini-crossover would join a segment of luxury-economy cars that includes the Audi A3 and upcoming BMW 1-Series. Even with recent dips in gas prices, high mileage vehicles seem like they will be a more popular choice for buyers for years to come. The current B, although not a huge seller, is already available in Canada, so Mercedes has some data on whether or not it might work. But with such a long lead time, anything can happen, and there's still a chance M-B could reconsider. We say bring it on. Who wouldn't want the Mercedes of economy cars? That is unless a smart car makes enough sense for your needs.

[Source: Bloomberg]

Mercedes confirms B-Class coming to America originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Jul 2007 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SMART fortwo EV set to electrify British Motor Show

Alex Nunez — Thu, 13 Jul 2006 01:15:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Hybrid, Etc., Europe, Green, Smart, Misc. Auto Shows

SMART announced today that it will premiere a new SMART fortwo EV at next week's British Motor Show. Up to 200 of the electric microcars will be built and delivered to the UK, which will serve as the trial market for the "green" vehicle.

The fortwo EV has 30-kilowatts of power, which gives it more zip in normal everyday driving than its gasoline-powered sibling. 0-30 mph arrives in 6.5 seconds, and it tops out at 70 mph. Fully charged, it has a 70-mile operating range.

If the UK trial is a success, one has to believe that "green vehicle" aficionados here in the US will be clamoring for DaimlerChrysler to import the EV in addition to the conventionally-powered fortwo. Furthermore, because the SMART isn't a wildly bizarre-looking oddity like some of the other pure EVs available today, it's more likely that people who normally wouldn't consider an EV will take a second look at the SMART. This'll be interesting to watch.

(More info after the jump)

[Source:DaimlerChrysler]

Continue reading SMART fortwo EV set to electrify British Motor Show

SMART fortwo EV set to electrify British Motor Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Jul 2006 01:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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i on the prize? Mitsubishi's unique new city car tested

Chris Paukert — Sun, 11 Jun 2006 13:02:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Japan, Hatchback, Mitsubishi

AutoWeek spent a few days with the Mitsubishi i, the company's new microcar, in its native environ of Tokyo, Japan. While acknowledging some problems (seats designed for smaller frames, some ride discipline issues), the magazine came away impressed with its diminutive packaging, nippy handling, and amount of standard equipment.

AW indicates that Mitsubishi has brought over a pair of testers Stateside to see how the urban runabout fairs on North American roads.

Does this presage a move by Mitsubishi to sell the i in the U.S.? Given the company's precarious financial situation and ailing reputation, Autoblog's take is that this is highly unlikely. That said, we can certainly see a market for a vehicle like this in crowded city centers. With rising gas prices and the increasing hip-quotient of small cars in the U.S, thanks to vehicles like the MINI Cooper and Scion xB, a distinctive and thrifty motoring experience might just sell Americans.

[Source: AutoWeek]

i on the prize? Mitsubishi's unique new city car tested originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Jun 2006 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Who will sell Smart in the U.S.?

Stuart Waterman — Thu, 08 Jun 2006 14:04:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, Marketing/Advertising, Daimler, Smart

DaimlerChrysler Chief Executive Dieter Zetsche thinks that's the big question as the company readies the Smart ForTwo city car for sale in the U.S.

In a German magazine interview, Zetsche openly said that the company is looking for a U.S. retail partner, stating "The sales network is decisive...It is certain that we want to cooperate with a third party."

Although Mercedes-Benz Canada has been selling all the ForTwo's it can get its hands on since the brand's Canadian launch in late 2004, Zetsche doesn't think that solution will work in the U.S., perhaps concerned that adding Smart would dilute the luxury-market positioning of the Mercedes-Benz brand.

Dodge is the most likely DaimlerChrysler candidate to get Smart, but Zetsche doesn't think it's good fit, possibly thinking that the premium city car wouldn't fit well in the small car part of Dodge's product portfolio. The entry-level price for the ForTwo in Canada is about $15,000 USD.

Despite the distribution channel conundrum, Zetsche remains confident that DaimlerChrysler will find a way to sell the Smart in the U.S.

Us? Given DCX's recent tie-up with Volkswagen, we'd like to see them resurrect the fortunes of VW's killer ZX-3 trike, and pair it with Smart in some sort of alternative sales channel, perhaps partnering with a motorcycle or scooter outfit.

[Source: Reuters]

Who will sell Smart in the U.S.? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Jun 2006 14:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Decision on SMART coming in June

John Neff — Wed, 24 May 2006 16:03:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Europe, Daimler, Mercedes-Benz, Smart

DaimlerChrysler is still deciding whether or not to bring the brand to the U.S. and a recent Forbes article quotes Klaus Maier, head of sales and marketing at Mercedes Car Group, as saying, "I expect that we will make a final decision in June."

Meanwhile, Zap began importing SMART cars in the U.S. back in March. So, do you think that billboard from South Africa will play in Peoria?

[Source: Forbes via eMercedesBenz]

Decision on SMART coming in June originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 May 2006 16:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SMART expected to break even in '07

Erin Mays — Tue, 21 Mar 2006 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Smart, Earnings/Financials

DaimlerChrysler's quirkly little MINI-fighting brand might break even for the first time in its existence, according to the company. Less has been more, evidently, with all of the nipping and tucking going on in the company's ranks and product lineup in an effort to narrow down the losses.

Big news for the brand lately has been whether it's going to make an appearance on the auction block -- DCX hired Goldman Sachs to help it court potential suitors, but cancelled the ask (according to Handelsblatt, anyway) unexpectedly. Sounds like SMART will stick around for the time being.

SMART expected to break even in '07 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Mar 2006 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Smart roadster returns!

Stuart Waterman — Tue, 21 Feb 2006 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance

Well, the rumor is now reality - DaimlerChrysler has agreed in principle to sell the rights to the Smart roadster to the British 'Project Kimber' consortium headed by David James. James' group has apparently signed a memorandum of understanding with DaimlerChrysler that covers both the rights to produce the roadster and DaimlerChrysler's production equipment for the car.

It's probably fitting that the country that brought us the Spridget should be the new home for this 21st century mini-roadster.

Smart roadster returns! originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Feb 2006 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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